We Bikepacked 180km To A Triathlon AND BACK | This Was BRUTAL!

[@gtn]

Have you ever cycled to your race, and then cycled home? What was your experience like? Let us know 🙌

[@TheRealRhodri]

My 70.3. I sensibly took trains though, and only cycled only to and from the stations though 😅. Was a great way to self support myself to an event, and camping was an awesome way to do an event. Really makes you think about what you need and what you can leave.

[@andrewjones8456]

I've cycled to and from the same race....on the same day.... (to be honest though living in Braunton it wasn't much of a challenge.) The running on the beach and the hills is brutal so well done the editors for cutting out any groans about that.... I'll be there next year so look forward to seeing GTN there for the win next time - hopefully there will be swell but not so much the swim is cancelled!

[@ondrejmitas3325]

Awesome that y’all did this, whether for the environment or for the adventure. I can’t remember if i biked to the Meetria sprint triathlon or not, 15km from home 😊 but anyway very doable in the benelux

[@Jdwmaguire]

Yes... last week actually! Not a triathlon though, it was for a 3.9km lake swim, cycled 145km and slept in a tent and swam 3.9 then cycled 55km to the nearest train to take me home and it was TIRING! Watching this has thrown everything back to me on what I was feeling on the day... 96% headwind against me the whole way and it was AWFUL.

[@joyeechen2658]

I'm attending the Cool Breeze Century cycling event (Ventura, CA)...as part of a five day 250 mile bike tour from San Luis Obispo to LA!

[@geraintjones6401]

That looked brutal. Fair play for taking it on and mad respect to Heather for cycling the return leg too.

[@Cokecanninja]

I don't even blame Mark for skipping the return, his first trip was nearly twice as far as her's, so by him skipping the return they ended up doing about the same distance.

[@gourami7]

Heather has really been putting some big days in recently. James may have been used to this I'm sure Brett Sutton had his athletes do this in Switzerland some years ago

[@gtn]

Both Heather and Mark smashed it 🙌

[@lsmoothw]

Heather is repeatedly amazing! Heart of a champion! Mark’s ride was brutal. I’d love to see Mark call some of the domestiques from GCN over to break up the wind for him next time. It would be great to involve the GCN guys and teach viewers about team riding tactics and drafting.

[@chasingtheclouds]

Mad respect to Heather & Mark. I just completed my first ever triathlon (thanks for all your helpful beginner videos and your inspiration to try this sport) and I was so tired afterwards. I can’t imagine how tired your legs must have felt, so kudos to you!

[@gtn]

Whoop whoop! Well done on the first triathlon, super cool to hear that you used our videos to get you around 🙌

[@sunny5142]

😂😂😂 We just did the same thing. But with 416km (nearly 5000m elevation gain) in one day and startet at the race the next day. From Oelde to Triathlon Leipzig. We rode back after one rest day, but in two stages. It's a challenge we faced the fourth time now.

[@gtn]

Sounds like an epic weekend 🙌

[@jcoterhals]

What a great video. I love the idea of environment friendly travel, although I have to admit it probably isn’t the wisest taper towards a race 😂 Well done, guys.

[@gtn]

Hahahaha taper! These two can dream 😂

[@gemmatredwell1734]

wow that looked like a tough couple of days for both of you, well done Mark for making it to the start, well done Heather for making it to the end, made me think about my choices of race for sure!

[@christopherkelly6886]

Geat way to change a race into an adventure, well done both of you!!!

[@sean7456]

Love the VLOG style/challenge content. Really highlights the presenter's great personalities. Great!

[@gtn]

Glad you're enjoying our content! 🙌

[@workingguy-OU812]

5 minutes into it - loving the idea and content. But, GTN, please, please advocate and use lights front and rear (yes, in the daytime). If a mix of bike paths and roads, they can be turned off for the paths to conserve batteries. Locally we have found that the front flashing white light avoids more accidents than a rear red (we have a lot of cars/trucks pulling out in front of us here), but both are important for the distances you guys are going. edit: end - you both did so well! Congrats! And, Heather, geez on the ride back home!

[@jgduke63]

Impressive. Hope Mark did get home safe and sound. Congratulations to both of you.

[@gtn]

He's home, safe and working away at GTN HQ 🙌

[@jlore6344]

You get more than a like for that. Amazing job, both of you. I missed this vid back when it came out but am glad I found it now. That is inspirational!!!!

[@peterking9139]

Great video,amazing effort by both of you. Chapeau. Can’t believe I hadn’t clocked that nopinz and Dryrobe were in the area, now definitely on the visit list

[@xGshikamaru]

I did that back in april, 80k to go to a gravel race and back, it's not just more sustainable but also a different atmosphere. You're not just participating in a race and then going back home, you get to spend more time there with other people, staff members. The race performance gets secondary too, you don't push to your absolute limit because you know you then have to ride back home. It's a very nice experience I encourage anyone to do it too. Your camera crew probably didn't follow you on e-bikes though, so as a whole your trip probably emitted more CO2 than if you all went there by car but it's nice to encourage people to do it. You can go quite far this way but the limit is obviously the time you have, especially when you have a family to take care of.

[@lg.studio]

Well done guys, I might follow suit soon as I have 4-5 smaller events just 50-60k around me through the year, I used to attend. Great inspiration. The next step is for you to change your camera-bike to an e-motorcycle. ;)

[@gtn]

Do it 🙌 It will make for a great adventure!

[@roarman75]

Ahhh simply awesome Heather and Mark.

[@SBoots29]

Great job for you both. Brutal headwind getting there.

[@samoliveri7203]

Amazing, well done both!

[@xosece]

you two Mark and Heather are incredible overall. My GF knows that Heather is kinda my weakness 'cos of admiration and she always tell me that people like Mark or Heather are "made from a different dough" (dunno how to say it in english, I mean someone who is a cut above). Kudos to both of you

[@sismikkk]

Love the initiative, good job guys !

[@julianengel492]

As much as I love that you are doing something with regards to the environment and really enjoy the challange and video, I also want to say that pushing the individual responsibility is exactly the narrative that the fossil fuel industry has been pushing for years. The term carbon footprint was invented by BP. We need to get the attention to the political and institutional changes and away from small individual changes. And there is even a stop at the shell station 😂

[@desroin]

Cycled to my first Triathlon last year which was... in the town right next to mine and taking the bike was the faster choice ^^

[@killerqueen9298]

Awesome achievement guys. Well done both of you😍😍

[@stevemckay4466]

“We did quite well” Both podiumed, after riding and bivvying 😂 Always blows my mind how race-fit GTN are at any given time. 💪

[@btmzi55]

I take my hat off to both of you. Well done!

[@perryadams1043]

Amazing effort to you both , Great video ,love to see more !

[@pogpoggle]

Epic! That’s bloody brilliant, perhaps leave a day between the cycle commute and the race!

[@gtn]

That would be a much smarter idea 😅 A bit less intense on the legs! 👀

[@activetraveladvocate]

Well done Heather and Mark; what an effort 🏅

[@clairhardywynn5620]

You two are completely bonkers ! Massive kudos to the both of you 💪💪 💥💥

[@gtn]

Thank you 🙌

[@peterthwaites997]

Wind back to 1990. I cycled with my sleeping bag and tent from S Cumbria to Stranraer (145 miles) then took the boat to Larne, N Ireland. Next day to Donnegal via the stunning Antrim coast and on to Letterkenny (130 miles) The next day was the Erigal Triathlon with a very rough sea swim, lots of jellyfish. I was beaten to first overseas competitor by a Dutchman who'd got off the boat at Cork and cycled the length of Ireland on a mountain bike. Next two days were spent cycling back. Fantastic experience. I'm 62 now and headed to Estonia tomorrow for the Tallinn IM. Wish I still had my 28 Yr old legs. 😂

[@gtn]

Wow! What an amazing story, Good luck on Tallinn IM! You are going to smash it 🙌 Sounds like you've had some great adventures, would you recommend riding to races to everyone?

[@peterthwaites997]

@@gtn Absolutely!.. If you're not bothered about your performance in the race 😊

[@sgfgdsfae]

Chapeau!!! 💪

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Congratulations to both of you :) & I had a great time watching this video :)

[@marie-louisekarlander2366]

Very well done, I’m just going out for a 4 h bike ride (10 min z2/30 IM work the whole workout). And nice to do something crazy sometimes. 🙌👍

[@gtn]

A triathlon after? 😂

[@marie-louisekarlander2366]

Hi , not this time 😉. I don’t think my coach thinks it’s what I need before IM Kalmar. But my workout go very well. Easy to do when I knew what you done.

[@Dolbouck7]

Well Done, Heather!

[@Bb5y]

Heather is awesome. Mark pulled it out the bag too.

[@alansmith2593]

Surf looks rad in the background too :)

[@JamesMartin-gl8gg]

Mark and Heather, yes I did so thing like you both did, but only an extra 25 km bike ride there and back. This was for the Henley Triathlon. So yes I kinda know something of you challenge. Well done for all your work and also the behind the scenes team. You doing great

[@gtn]

Awesome to hear that you've done this yourself! 🙌

[@andreemurray7039]

Awesome you 2 looked mad fun

[@hollyandersen9394]

This reminds me of Dakota Jones riding his bike from Utah to the Western States 100 race in California this year. I do believe that he took the train home. I'm thinking that could have been an option for you? Or public transit of some sort? Those tents definitely seems nice and snug. Thanks for sharing the journey.

[@philstone2610]

Love Croyde. The whole North Devon and Cornwall coastal path is the most insanely beautiful , demanding, soul destroying and wonderful place ever to run (or walk (or crawl by the end))

[@alansmith2593]

I couldn’t help but notice your cream may have been the wrong way round 😋. Awesome video though. I’m going to cycle to Falmouth triathlon from Bude in September now. Thanks for inspiration. Triathlon woop

[@atlosass]

Amazing adventure, guys! Love it.

[@sebastienbrochard9812]

Fairplay! You guys are mad! 😱 What beasts you are! Well done!

[@gtn]

Thanks Sebastien 🙌 These two smashed it!

[@parttroll1]

Well done to you both. Don’t know how you had the stamina to do the race after a gruelling ride there.

[@dsd6538]

Mark shows the most stylish bikepacking 👍👍😊

[@christianwirth6965]

I did try to cycle to my very first Tri just last week. However this ended rather poorly as I got caught by a gust of wind and hit the ground semi-hard. Left me with some bruises and still a bit of pain in my lower back from the impact but fortunately, nothing worse happened. I had to fix the gearing on my bike but apart from that this was fine too. Just gutted to have missed my tri - I have a hard time committing to races as I have a small baby at home for whom I want to be there at all times. Guess that was Karma telling me I should spend even more time with her and stick to training for now. :)

[@tinyrunner88]

Definitely adding star jumps to my pre-race warm up routine. 😁

[@gtn]

They are a must! 😂

[@lizgreen2936]

Well done great video... 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻x

[@armella_ultramyggen]

Great video, well done :) I have cycled home form bike race, more that once...... just take it easy :)

[@gtn]

Hahahah yes taking it easy it good advice 😂

[@baardhermansen6261]

Wow, impressive! 😮

[@gtn]

Thanks! 😄

[@kadirolek6548]

Good on ya. I ride to all local runs now (>20mi rad) 5k- marathon. All we need is everyone to makle a 1% improvement. Imagine that multiplied by half the population.

[@sarahday2292]

😁WOW!! Well done

[@leebrown3645]

Do you know how I know that @jamescunnama is the Brains Trust of GTN? Do you? Because he had nothing to do with this crazy stunt. That's why!! 😁😁 A brilliant video though, mad respect to Mark and Heather for bringing us this. 👍😁

[@gtn]

Time for some payback, surely? 😂

[@leebrown3645]

@@gtn Safe to say that I am looking forward to this more than James is... 😁 #soundsominous

[@danielcarrillosantamaria6067]

Hats off

[@CoolInOlympia]

What a great idea!

[@Ajumi-]

this is a scene for next christmas advent calendar :'D "it's touching me everywhere its HORRIBLE" :'D 17:00 +

[@addict2athlete]

I thought I walked past you in transition Mark! Wish I stopped to say hello now. Shame about the swim being cancelled but safety is more important. I just did my own challenge like this for the Tavistock Triathlon, but I cheated and got the train home 😆

[@gtn]

Next time you see us be sure to stop to say hello 🙌We always love meeting the fans!

[@alfredongos]

Another great video, guys! I wanted to ask you #GTN guys about the effect riding to the event had on your performance. Of course there will be no way to quantify it, but if qualitatively you can tell us how you felt in general during and after participating, especially #Heather, who rode back.

[@callumnotman5145]

#gtncoachescorner Please can you guys do a video on what you recommend taking repair tools/tyres wise on every cycle. And in what type of bike bag? (Ollie from GCN always says to get the most aero bag!) Also do you take the same repair kit stuff on a race? 😁 Cheers!!

[@chinabuzz]

Reinforcement that no good deed goes unpunished.

[@marcuswills6569]

I'm a bit late to the party here, but just have to mention how good a Triathlon Croyde is, in my top 3 for me.

[@Aeronwor]

So would you call this 'tri-packing" or would that include swimming and running as part of the journey? I have taken my bike to various running and cycling events (up to 50km away and HM distance), I always enjoy the ride, getting in the right headspace beforehand, and the extra kudos form the other participants when they realize I rode there. But was just bonkers, 180k is enough on its own. The train is on of my other favorite option, as I can rest on the way home, instead of focusing on driving.

[@hornetluca]

Bravi!

[@abstrkt3950]

Hashtag culture 😂

[@danielbluez]

For a better approach put que camera guys on cycles too, best.

[@bradley-hbg]

Heathers a G. I wouldnt have liked this video had you not said it at the end lol

[@chiman5732]

Machines.

[@MegaOculus]

We can assume that your pro environmental attitude achieved success. There is quite cold as for summer on this film.

[@andremodesto]

putting in 250 watts, at 60 rpm, while resulting in only 20km/h must be really frustrating.

[@boriss.861]

Both of you well done getting a fantastic finish after a punishing day getting to the event! Pixies & Elves why everything in km use both please. 20km/hr 12 mph in a headwind? blisteringly fast how about 2mph 3km/h in headwind on Somerset Ave. going into Weston - s - Mare. On the pedals grinding it out!

[@federicomurero]

Great content guys! As a Triathlete I always tri to reduce my carbon footprint, thanks for the nice inspiring video 💪🏼

[@gtn]

How do you reduce your carbon footprint? 👀

[@federicomurero]

@@gtn going to the swimming pool or to the athletic track by bike. Commuting by bike or on foot Trying to buy products produced next to where I live

[@Dolbouck7]

Break yourself and ride, Mark!

[@markthrelfall3577]

I think you underestimate the ride I had there 🤣

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

Are you trying to "Hank" yourselves? (Yes, I'm turning "Hank" into a verb meaning "attempt to kill".)

[@etherealicer]

If you chiefly hank yourself for fun, do you become a han(d)kerchief? And yes, hank(ing) needs to be in the dictionary.

[@mitchellatkins9701]

great video! unfortunately, but it actually reveals how much of hypocrits we are who espouse the carbon-free way. no way we will be doing all that b4 a race

[@seanbonella]

Oh jeez just do it and stop the climate change excuses please. I do it a lot since I have no car. BECAUSE I HAVE TO......

[@andremodesto]

5 ton of carbon emitted while flying successfully offset by saving 5 grams of carbon not emitted by cycling to the event. The climate is constantly changing, guys. Chill!

[@bodhi821345]

LOVED THIS